Did you know that 40% of this country’s energy production is consumed by residential and commercial buildings? On average, 10% of a household’s energy bill can be attributed to waste resulting from inadequacies in its heating and cooling systems. These include heavily outdated and inefficient equipment in particular, as well as leaks in the structure’s thermal envelope. Read more

Your HVAC system is designed to run quietly in the background, providing your home with comfort without being too noticeable. The moment it begins to make noises, you know that something has gone wrong. Learn about the most common noises faulty HVAC systems make and how to properly address them in today’s post. Read more

According to the Department of Energy, space heating accounts for about 45% of the energy bills of average American homes. This number could be lowered if only every household took measures to achieve maximum efficiency. In addition to reducing HVAC operating costs, a highly efficient unit can also eliminate the need for frequent heating repair projects. Read more

The thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. It measures and monitors ambient indoor climate, telling Kemnitz when air conditioning and heating units have to work whenever the temperature goes above or below the threshold.

To be a smart homeowner, you need to look at the energy ratings of the systems you intend to use at home. As a good chunk of yearly expenses goes to heating and air conditioning needs, you’ll want to get the HVAC system with the best energy efficiency ratings possible. This is why the EER and the SEER labels exist. Read more

Excess humidity can make your interior feel uncomfortable and make your heating and air conditioning system work harder to maintain the temperature you want. This is because HVAC units also dehumidify the air. If the air in your home is too humid, your cooling equipment has to consume more energy to maintain indoor comfort. Below, we explain more about the importance of controlling humidity within the home.

Are you in the market for a new HVAC contractor? There are some things that you should know before you choose the right contractor for your project. Below, we will offer some tips for choosing the right HVAC contractor.

Tips for Choosing the Right HVAC contractor

As you start looking for an HVAC contractor for your heating and cooling needs, keep the following tips in mind:

Do Your Homework

Before calling an HVAC contractor, you’ll want to find out all you can about your current HVAC system. Be sure to access your unit’s maintenance history as well as the correct make and model of the unit before calling a technician. You’ll also want to do a “once over” in your home, noting any hot or cold spots and/or where you feel there may be additional heating or cooling related problems. Having this information handy ahead of time will help you better judge what might need serviced, and it will also help the contractor better understand your home’s HVAC needs.

Look for Certified Technicians

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy recommends that homeowners … “look for contractors whose technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and/or partnered with ENERGY STAR.”

All of our technicians at Kemnitz are NATE certified, so our customers are guaranteed to receive exceptional service from technicians they can depend on. NATE certification involves extensive HVAC training and testing, which assures customers that each of our technicians are highly qualified professionals.

Ask for References

Your HVAC system is a big investment. Be sure to take proper precautions by checking references from the contractor you are considering bringing into your home to work on your HVAC system. You’ll want to take into account what types of work was performed and how well (or if!) they completed the job. If you’ve gotten a recommendation from a friend or colleague, ask them a lot of questions about the service they received, as well as whether they felt the pricing was fair and if the job was completed satisfactorily.

Prepare for an Initial Home Visit

A well trained and professional contractor will thoroughly inspect your home—which includes the HVAC system itself, as well as windows, doors, and ductwork—before making a judgement on what types of services or system repair/replacement you may need. As a homeowner, it is important to understand that a contractor should take your individual home’s needs into serious consideration and not simply try and up-sell you the biggest and most expensive option available.

Get a Written Bid

When deciding on an HVAC contractor, you should always get a bid in writing so that you can accurately assess the energy efficiency of the system, whether the system is backed by a warranty, and the final costs of the service or installation. This bid should outline the work to be performed, and the full price of equipment, parts, and labor.

Get Your Contract in Writing

This document will protect you (and your HVAC system) by listing the specific details of the job to be done. This contract should also list the job schedule and all warranty information associated with your system.

If you’re in the market for an HVAC contractor, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been serving homes and businesses in Irvine, California and surrounding areas for over 30 years. We’re family owned and operated, so we understand the importance of receiving high quality service that you and your family can depend on. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment: (949) 453-8500

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Our homes are no longer simply dwelling places. They are our last refuge after a hassle-filled day and as such, it is important that they provide a comfortable space to relax. Now, if the weather is cold enough for heat and not warm enough for AC, we have some simple tips you can use to maintaining your HVAC system during “gap” months where temperatures are moderate.

Tips for Maintaining Your HVAC System During Moderate Weather

When it’s not cold enough for heat and not warm enough for AC, it can be hard to get comfortable. Here are some tips for maintaining your HVAC unit efficiency and staying comfortable in moderate weather:

Open up the windows to let in some fresh air.

If you want to save some energy while making your home comfortable, try opening up your windows to let in some fresh air. If you are not running your HVAC fan, make sure that you use ceiling fans to help circulate the air in your home. This will keep the atmosphere from getting stale and help you distribute air to every room in your home.

Monitor humidity levels in your home.

If you’re not using your AC system, and you want to keep the windows open, make sure that you monitor humidity levels in your home. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can impact your family’s health and happiness. When humidity becomes too high, you may need to turn your AC system back on to help better control your home environment.

Update the schedule on your programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat is a great way to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year while saving energy and cutting down on electricity costs. However, as the seasons change and weather begins to warm up or cool down, it is important that you adjust your programmable thermostat to account for these changes in temperatures.

Clean vents and replace your air filter.

Now that you are using your HVAC system less, it is the perfect time to make sure that your system is clean and working efficiently. Clean or replace your HVAC filters, and clean all of your vents. This may also be the ideal time for an HVAC tune up. An experienced HVAC technician will come to inspect your unit and catch any problems ahead of time. He or she will also make sure that your HVAC system is clean and well-oiled.

Though it can be hard to stay comfortable and keep your HVAC system running efficiently when the weather is moderate, these tips will help you put less stress on your HVAC system and make sure that it’s ready for the months ahead.

Need help keeping your HVAC system maintained and working efficiently? Give us a call today to speak with an experienced HVAC technician.

Although unlicensed HVAC contractors appear to work cheaper than bonded, insured and licensed air conditioning companies, the long-term risks may not match the reward. When homeowners hire HVAC service work from questionable contractors, the typically experience may end up like this:

The good news is that there are ways that you can avoid working with an unlicensed contractor. The key is being able to identify and avoid common HVAC inspection scams.

Tips for Avoiding HVAC Technician Scams

Here are just a few tips that you can practice in order to avoid becoming a victim of an HVAC inspection scam:

Tip #1: Before requesting AC installation or services in your home, ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Even licensed HVAC pros can make a mistake, but consider the damage an uninsured electrical error can do to your home.

Dealing with untrained cooling and heating service techs may seem like a slick way to save money upfront, but these out-of-pocket savings can quickly escalate into a massive financial nightmare. HVAC technicians who work without a license may also tend to ignore HVAC industry-accepted service and installation regulations. This means that they could very possibly do real damage to your home HVAC system.

Tip #2: Research HVAC companies and get multiple bids before deciding on which HVAC company will install or repair your heating and cooling equipment. Most homeowners know better than to jump on the highest bid, but you should also be wary of any super-low bits. Instead, choose reputation over a low-price, unlicensed HVAC technician.

In the air conditioning industry, HVAC companies build their reputation by providing quality service. It is important that you do some research on the reputation of the HVAC company or technician before paying them for services. Check out online reviews and testimonials to get a better idea of what people in your community think about this company.

Tip #3: If you’re unsure, always get a second opinion. Whether licensed or unlicensed, if the HVAC technician is trying to push products or features on you without explaining why you need them, it is always helpful to get a second opinion. A trusted HVAC company will always take the time explain what is wrong with your system and break down what repairs you need and why.

One of the most common HVAC inspection scams is when technicians will say things are broken when they are not. Always get any price estimates in writing, so that you can get a second opinion from another HVAC technician. Again, an experienced HVAC technician will be happy to explain to you in detail what the issue is. They will never offer vague answers about parts you need replaced.

Don’t let an unlicensed HVAC contractor make a mess of your home. Call us today to work with an experienced and licensed HVAC technician.

If you are like the average American, you spend more than 90% of your day indoors. This means that you are breathing indoor air for most of your life. Have you ever thought about the quality of that air? Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to a variety of health concerns. If you’ve been experiencing chronic headaches or congestion, poor IAQ could be the reason.

Poor Indoor Air Quality Affects Your Health

Constantly inhaling poor-quality air can have many short- and long-term effects on your health, including the following:

Chronic headaches

Persistent fatigue

Dizziness

Respiratory congestion

Itchiness or irritation in eyes, nose or throat

In addition to these short-term health effects, exposure to air pollutants can also lead to respiratory disease, heart disease and various types of cancer. Indoor air quality is not simply a matter of itchy eyes, it can have serious implications for your quality of life.

Controlling Your Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s IAQ is largely controlled by your HVAC system, which is why regular maintenance is necessary. There are many elements that can negatively affect HVAC performance, including microbial growth and high moisture levels. Heat and humidity can increase microbial growth and cause dust particles and pollutants to be become trapped in the HVAC system and spread throughout your home.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

If you are concerned with maintaining your home’s indoor air quality, there are a few simple maintenance steps you can take to ensure the air you’re breathing is pristine:

Clean your HVAC system regularly

Replace your HVAC filter every month

Install a UV light in your HVAC system to reduce microbial growth

Monitoring Your IAQ

In addition to maintaining your HVAC system, you also want to monitor your home’s air quality on a regular basis. There are many software systems that are designed to continuously monitor your IAQ. These systems monitor the temperature and humidity of your home as well as the presence of pollutants and noxious gases in the air. These systems are able to set appropriate standards for each of these elements, ensuring that when any imbalance is detected, your HVAC system’s heating or cooling elements are triggered to maintain optimum IAQ.

There are many elements involved in maintaining optimum indoor air quality in your home, but the experts at Kemnitz Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. are here to help. Call us today to schedule an air quality evaluation—we can help you start the journey to a happier, healthier you with clean, fresh air! Don’t forget to follow us for more HVAC tips.